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Neighbors discussing renderings of the proposed 2 H St. project at a BRA community meeting Monday night.

By Patrick D. Rosso, Town Correspondent

Developer Peter Zagorianakos was before the South Boston community Monday night to pitch his proposed residential structure at 2 H St., but many in attendance weren’t buying it.

As many as 80 residents packed the Tynan Community Center in South Boston to voice their opposition to a project that could bring more than 135 new residents to a neighborhood that neighbors says is in need of family housing, not smaller studios and one-bedrooms.

“There are no affordable units, there are no three or four-bedroom units [in the project] and people are tired of it,” said Brendan Price, 29, a South Boston resident who echoed many of the concerns heard in the room Monday night. “This doesn’t create a neighborhood and it doesn’t create a community.”

The proposed project would construct a three-story building with 135 rental units consisting of one and two-bedroom units, 1,600 square-feet of retail space, and 206 underground parking spaces.

The building is proposed to be equipped with three elevators, with the main entrance to the building on East Second Street and the garage entrance on East First Street. The exterior facade of the structure is proposed to be a mix of wood clapboard, brick, and masonry.

The building would be on a 66,313 square-foot complete lot boarded by Vicksburg Street, East First Street, H Street, and East Second Street and is currently home to a two-story warehouse and construction equipment rental yard.

Zagorianakos and his partners who are developing the project under the name H Street Partners, LLC recently constructed a project at 154 West Second St., and are in the process of constructing a new building at 902 East Second St.

Zagorianakos also presented his 2 H St. project to the Boston Civic Design Commission April 3, to read about the hearing click here.

Many who attended Monday’s meeting said they are sick of developers building projects that don’t bring in families or residents who will invest in the community. Residents called for condos and three and four-bedrooms units, which they believe will encourage more families and create a unity in the neighborhood.

“We have to take care of the people who live here,” said Kevin Lally, 60, president of the Gate of Heaven Neighborhood Association. “Of these 135 units how many do you think people from South Boston will live in? We’re not against improvements but we want to maintain a family atmosphere.”

Neighbors also suggested that if Zagorianakos were to make the units condos residents in the building would feel a vested interest in the neighborhood and preserving the family aspect.

“I think the ability to own makes people want to stay and invest in the neighborhood,” said Maureen Rubino, 46, a South Boston resident. “Will there be an option for rent to buy? Could you do some as rentals and some as condos?”

Zagorianakos said that his group, which will manage the building, doesn’t take college students and that there will be a concierge on site from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“We don’t want the trouble either,” said Zagorianakos.

While the majority of Monday’s conversation revolved around the new building, noise was also a hot topic. People in the audience complained that rental apartments bring in noisy students.

“My concern is there are going be an additional 200 people [in the neighborhood],” said Tim Murphy, 32, a South Boston resident. “That’s a lot of people coming through where we live. We’ve all been 21 and 22, but the noise is a concern.”

As the meeting came to a close it was evident that the residents who attended were most concerned about the influx of new residents and the size of the building.

“It’s just a little overwhelming,” said Paul Greenley, 51, a South Boston resident.

The project at 2 H St. is currently in the BRA's Article 80 review process, which includes a 30 day public comment period ending May 23. Although the project according to Zagorianakos is as-of-right, it must be reviewed because of its size.

Those who would like to submit comments about the project can do so by emailing the BRA at lance.campbell.bra@cityofboston.gov, by fax at (617) 742-7783.

For more information about public comments and how to submit them, click here.